& teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith. ~ Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you ~

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

My husband's business is in need of a miracle again. We've been here before, and are still alive and the business still up and running, so I do have confidence that we will be delivered. But when these crises come up again and again, the natural tendency is to panic, so we have to fight that emotion. It makes me wonder what we need to learn or if there is anything we can do to move past this trial. It seems to be the same trial over and over again - need more funding. On Monday he told me that they had a board meeting where his fears from the past few weeks was realized: none of the major shareholders are going to invest anymore. The company doesn't have money to make it through July. So, how will it end? He feels abandoned. Yesterday he came home briefly before having to take our oldest to band, and said "I'm a broken man. Will you pray for a miracle?" I called my prayer warriors (Nicole, Rachael, Mom) and they are praying too. How do we ask for miracles? Then last night Corey shared an article that his dad shared with him: Our Claim on Grace ~ we really liked this story:

A few years ago a friend of mine named Dan went out for a late night run around 11:00 p.m. on a little used path out from his home in New Mexico. Suddenly, there were several wild dogs that attacked him from nowhere, and began to bite him viciously! Being a strong man, he fought them off, but over time, it became apparent that their intent was to kill, and they were succeeding!

The dogs bit him ferociously and forced him to the ground! There was no one around to help. He began to plead, “Father, please help me! Help me get away from these dogs! I have kept the Word of Wisdom from my youth!” Almost instantly, the dogs stopped biting him, and instead began to lick the blood, which was all over him. During this little reprieve, he started to crawl towards civilization as the dogs were licking him. Amazingly, at that late hour, a man came down the path, and saw his plight. He was able to rescue Dan and save his life. Because of his lifelong adherence to the Word of Wisdom, Dan had the amplified faith he needed at that moment to ask the Lord for a miracle. It’s significant that the more obedient we are, the more confidence we have to ask the Lord for miraculous intervention and Grace. In the Bible Dictionary it states that, “The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but TO SECURE for ourselves and for others BLESSINGS THAT ARE MADE CONDITIONAL ON OUR ASKING for them.” The Lord wants us to ask for blessings, In fact, he has asked us to ask. What are you not asking for that he wants to give you? What is your obedience level? Can you claim miracles with it?
So, that is our challenge to ourselves for now, to have more power in our prayers as we ask for the blessing and miracle that the company needs. And we're trying to work to make our faith amplified and unshaken, that we have confidence that He hears us, is aware, and will grant us the miracle we seek and ask for.

The end of the Grace article says:

What is your claim on Grace? Obedience gives us personal power that we can draw from as we need help. Even if it is simply, “I have been faithful since I repented.” OR, “I did what you asked me to do!” Obedience is powerful!

The Lord has said, “For if you keep my commandments …you shall receive grace for grace.” (D&C 93:20) So could this mean that as we GIVE GRACE (Sacrifice, service, obedience to commandments, etc.), we are empowered to RECEIVE GRACE in return? Look deep into your life and think about the sacrifices and Grace you have yielded: Tithing? Word of Wisdom? Chastity? Sabbath day? Family History? Love and service? Could you use any ONE of these to save your life as Dan did? Obedience is very freeing. It enables us to “look in the eyes of God” with confidence instead of trepidation. It increases our spiritual ability, and gives us added strength in our prayers to ask for and receive miracles. Do you have the power to claim the grace that God wants you to receive? Look deep at your sacrifices and muster your faith. I bet you do!

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

I listened to a conference talk today on my way to the store, and it was exactly what I needed to hear. Elder Richard J. Maynes October 2013 talk titled "The Strength to Endure". Some of the things he said that I loved (for my own reference, this is also written on page 109 of my pink study journal)

As we face trials, it is important to remember that the spiritual strength we develop will help us successfully endure all the challenges we face in life. (Which is why it's so important to read the scriptures daily - to develop spiritual strength)

So I can tell that Corey is really struggling and has heavy burdens. I don't know what I can do to help except pray for him. We must press forward in Christ - 2 Nephi 31:20

"Our ability to endure to the end in righteousness will be in direct proportion to the strength of our testimony and the depth of our conversion"

We can't get in shape to play basket ball by watching basketball games on tv - and we cannot keep our testimonies in shape just by watching general conference. We need to study, learn and apply the fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, then DO our very best to live them.

We face challenges everyday, we must work on spiritual stamina every day.

As we develop spiritual stamina, falst traditions of the world and our personal daily challenges will have little negative impact on our mood, attitude, happiness, and ability to endure in righteousness.

"This is what the gospel give us - not immunity from death and problems, but victory over them." - Anthony W. Ivins.

No matter what life throws at us with problems and wonder and worry, we can choose happiness - it is a choice we must make daily. I need to be a rock that the problems of life can't push around!

Mosiah 24:14 - I the Lord God do visit my people in their afflictions.

Mosiah 24:!5 - And now it came to pass that the burdens which we laid upon (Corey) and his (family) were made light, yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could brea up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully adn with patience to allt he will of the Lord.

That's probably the biggest miracle - to submit to trials with a good attitude, cheerfully even! - that's probably the biggest miracle of all.

2 Tim 1:8 - be thou parktaker of the afflictionf of the gospel according to the power of God.